Filling system for an anesthetic dispenser

ABSTRACT

A filling system for an anesthetic dispenser has an improved anesthetic-specific code. The adapter neck of the cylinder adapter has polygonally arranged outer surfaces ( 7, 71 ) as anesthetic-specific code. A filling device for anesthetics at the anesthetic dispenser has a filler neck for receiving the adapter neck, and polygonally arranged inner surfaces ( 27, 271 ) are formed as an anesthetic-specific code at the filler neck, which are designed corresponding to the outer surfaces ( 7, 71 ). At least one inner surface ( 271 ) has a projection ( 272 ) projecting from the inner surface, and at least one outer surface ( 71 ) has a depression ( 72 ) designed corresponding to the projection ( 272 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 ofGerman Patent Application DE 10 2012 001 965.3 filed Feb. 2, 2012, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a filling system for an anestheticdispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A filling system of this type is known from DE 10 2004 061 392 B3 (andcorresponding U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,467 B2). A cylinder adapter, which isdesigned for connection to a storage tank for liquid anesthetic, has ananesthetic-specific code on the adapter neck in the form of an outerpolygon. An inner polygon, which has a shape corresponding to that ofthe outer polygon, is provided on the filling device at the anestheticevaporator.

A cylinder adapter, which establishes the connection between the storagetank for liquid anesthetic and the filling device at the anestheticevaporator, is necessary in the filling device known from U.S. Pat. No.6,585,016 B1. A threaded sleeve, which has two grooves for receiving anindex collar arranged on the neck of the storage tank, is provided atthe cylinder-side end of the cylinder adapter. The index collar has ananesthetic-specific design, so that only the cylinder adapter fittingthe storage tank can be screwed onto the thread of the cylinder.

An anesthetic-specific code in the form of two projections, which arearranged angularly offset in relation to one another and which mesh withcorresponding recesses on the filling neck of the filling device, arelikewise provided on the adapter neck of the cylinder adapter.

The outlet pipe of the cylinder adapter is closed by means of aspring-loaded adapter valve, so that no anesthetic vapor can escape intothe environment. A corresponding filling valve is provided at thefilling device. A stationary rod, which has such a length that theadapter valve can be opened when the adapter neck is inserted into thefiller neck of the filling device, is located in the middle of thefiller neck of the filling device. The interaction between the cylinderadapter and the filling device is designed such that the filling valveopens first and the adapter valve thereafter. Liquid anesthetic can thenflow from the storage tank into the tank of the anesthetic evaporator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A basic object of the present invention is to provide an improvedanesthetic-specific code for a filling system of the type mentioned andfor a cylinder adapter.

According to the invention, an anesthetic dispenser filling system isprovided comprising a cylinder adapter with an adapter neck. Thecylinder adapter is provided at a storage tank for liquid anesthetic.Polygonally arranged outer surfaces are provided at the adapter neck asan anesthetic-specific code at the cylinder adapter. The system alsocomprises an anesthetic dispenser. A filling device for anesthetic witha filler neck for receiving the adapter neck is provided at theanesthetic dispenser. Polygonally arranged inner surfaces, as ananesthetic-specific code at the filler neck, are provided that aredesigned corresponding to the polygonally arranged outer surfaces. Atleast one of the polygonally arranged inner surfaces has a projectionprojecting from the inner surface and at least one of the polygonallyarranged outer surfaces has a depression designed corresponding to theprojection.

The polygonally arranged inner surfaces and outer surfaces may provide agenerally polygon shape designed corresponding to as a regular n-sidedpolygon. The polygonally arranged inner surfaces and outer surfaces mayprovide a generally polygon shape that has sides corresponding to one ofa hexagon, a pentagon, a heptagon or an octagon.

The projection of the at least one inner surface may comprise apin-shaped component and the depression at the at least one outersurface may comprise a groove corresponding to the pin-shaped component.The projection of the at least one inner surface may be a convex contourand the depression of the at least one outer surface may be an inwardlydirected contour designed corresponding to the convex contour.

All of the inner surfaces may have a convex contour and all of the outersurfaces have an inwardly directed contour designed corresponding to theconvex contour. The inwardly directed contour may be designed as acurvature in a radial direction of the polygonally arranged outersurfaces and the polygonally arranged inner surfaces wherein nocurvature is present at right angles thereto.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cylinder adapter isprovided for filling an anesthetic dispenser. The cylinder adaptercomprises an adapter neck and polygonally arranged outer surfaces at theadapter neck as an anesthetic-specific code of the cylinder adapter. Atleast one of the outer surfaces has an inwardly directed contour.

All of the outer surfaces may have an inwardly directed contour. Thecontour may comprise a curvature in a radial direction of thepolygonally arranged outer surfaces wherein there is no curvaturepresent at right angles thereto.

The anesthetic-specific code is prepared in such a manner thatpolygonally arranged outer surfaces on the adapter neck of the cylinderadapter are present and the filling device has polygonally shaped innersurfaces designed correspondingly thereto. At least one of the innersurfaces is provided with a projection in the form of a lug or a convexcontour and at least one of the outer surfaces has a depression adaptedto the projection. This depression is designed such that the cylinderadapter can be inserted into the filling device when the at least oneinner surface is in contact with the at least one outer surface. It iswithin the scope of the present invention that each of the innersurfaces has a projection and each of the outer surfaces has adepression or contraction designed correspondingly thereto. No specialpreferential position needs to be maintained for this case for insertingthe cylinder adapter into the filling device, but the insertion positioncan be found by slightly rotating the cylinder adapter. The convexcontour is especially advantageously designed as a convex arch.

The polygonal arrangement of the outer surfaces and inner surfaces ispreferably embodied in the form of a regular n-sided polygon. A 5-sidedpolygon is thus used for sevoflurane, a 6-sided polygon for isoflurane,and an 8-sided polygon for halothane.

The convex contour on the inner surface and outer surface is designedsuch that it is a curvature in the radial direction of the polygon andno curvature is present at right angles thereto.

The scope of protection expressly covers cylinder adapters that have thecode according to the present invention. The cylinder adapters can nowbe screwed onto the storage tank or especially preferably they can befirmly connected to the storage tank for liquid anesthetic or thecylinder adapter is fastened to the storage tank by means of a flangeconnection.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in the figureand will be explained in more detail below. The various features ofnovelty which characterize the invention are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operatingadvantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is madeto the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferredembodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cylinder adapter according to theinvention and corresponding to the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 whereinthe view shows polygonally arranged outer surfaces, showing a side withthe flat outer surfaces corresponding to the state of the art, whereinthe at least one outer surface with a depression is at a side oppositethe side being viewed;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cylinder adapteraccording to FIG. 1 and corresponding to the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and6 wherein the view shows polygonally arranged outer surfaces, showing aside with the flat outer surfaces corresponding to the state of the art,wherein the at least one outer surface with the depression is at a sideopposite the side being viewed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a filling device according to theinvention and corresponding to the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 whereinthe view shows polygonally arranged inner surfaces, showing a side withthe flat inner surfaces corresponding to the state of the art, whereinthe at least one inner surface with a projection is at a side oppositethe side being viewed;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the filling device according to FIG.3 and corresponding to the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 wherein the viewshows polygonally arranged inner surfaces, showing a side with the flatinner surfaces corresponding to the state of the art, wherein the atleast one inner surface with the projection is at a side opposite theside being viewed;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a first code with polygonallyarranged surfaces including the at least one inner surface with theprojection and the at least one outer surface with the depression;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a second code with polygonallyarranged surfaces including the at least one inner surface with theprojection and the at least one outer surface with the depression;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a third code with polygonallyarranged surfaces including the all of the inner surfaces withprojections and all of the outer surfaces with depressions;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in particular, FIG. 1 shows a perspective viewof a cylinder adapter 1, which has a threaded sleeve 2 on the undersidefor screwing onto a storage tank for liquid anesthetic, not shownspecifically in FIG. 1. On its cylinder collar, the storage tank has ananesthetic-specific index collar, which is inserted into mountinggrooves 3 of the threaded sleeve 2. Thus, only one cylinder adapter 1belonging to the anesthetic can be screwed onto the storage tank. Thescrewing motion is facilitated here by recessed grips 4 above thethreaded sleeve 2. An adapter neck 5 with an O-ring 6 and polygonallyarranged outer surfaces 7 for the anesthetic-specific code as well as anoutlet pipe 8 with radially extending slots 9 are located at the upperend of the cylinder adapter 1. The upper side 10 of the pipe is designedas a star-shaped body 11. The code comprises polygonally arrangedsurfaces 7/71 including the at least one outer surface 71 with thedepression wherein only the flat outer surfaces 7, corresponding to thestate of the art are viewable in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows the cylinder adapter 1 according to FIG. 1 in alongitudinal section. Identical components are designated by the samereference numbers as in FIG. 1. A shut-off valve 12 with a valve piston13, with a ring body 14 on the upper side of the valve piston 13 andwith a valve spring 15, which is prestressed by means of a support plate16 and pushes the valve piston 13 against a sealing surface 131, islocated within the cylinder adapter 1. Support plate 16 is held withinthe cylinder adapter 1 by a support cage 17. A sealing ring 18, whichlies on the cylinder neck of the storage tank, not shown in the figures,is fastened to the underside of the support cage 17. Support plate 16contains holes 19, via which the gas and liquid exchange takes place.The surfaces 7/71 generally provide a polygonal shape is of ananesthetic-specific design. Thus, a 5-sided generally polygonal shape isused for sevoflurane, a 6-sided generally polygonal shape forisoflurane, and an 8-sided generally polygonal shape for halothane.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a filling device 20 for anesthetic atan anesthetic dispenser 21. The filling device 20 has a filler neck 22with a cylindrical sealing surface 23, an inner lead-in bevel 24 at theupper part of the filler neck 22, a spoked wheel 25 with radiallyinwardly pointing rods 26, polygonally arranged inner surfaces 27 forthe anesthetic-specific code and a filling valve 28. FIG. 3 shows thecode with polygonally arranged surfaces including the at least one innersurface with the projection wherein only the flat inner surfaces 27corresponding to the state of the art are viewable in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section of the filling device 20. Identicalcomponents are designated by the same reference numbers as in FIG. 3.Filling valve 28 comprises a valve plate 29 at a valve guide rod 30,which is received in a hole 31 of the dispenser housing 32 such that itcan perform strokes. The upper side 33 of the valve plate 29 is pressedby means of a valve spring 34 against a sealing crater 35 of the fillingvalve 28. A guide ring 36 is connected to the valve plate 29 and isdisplaceable together with valve plate 29.

The filling system operates as follows:

When the cylinder adapter 1 is inserted into the filling device 20, theO-ring 6 first slides over the lead-in bevel 24 and is in contact withthe sealing surface 23 of filler neck 22. The outer surfaces 7 come tomesh in the further course with the inner surfaces 27 and the cylinderadapter 1 is centered as a result in relation to the filling device 20.The rods 26 are then located in the slots 9 of the outlet pipe 8 and theoutlet pipe 8 enters the area of guide ring 36.

By a pressure being applied to the cylinder adapter 1, the upper side 10of the pipe of the cylinder adapter is in contact with the upper side 37of the guide ring 36 and the filling valve 28 opens. The adapter valve12 is still closed. If the pressure on the cylinder adapter 1 isincreased further, valve plate 29 is displaced against the force of thevalve spring 34 further downward and the rods 26 touch the ring body 14of the valve body 13, as a result of which the adapter valve 12 opens.Anesthetic is now flowing via the holes 19 of the support plate 16 intothe tank of the anesthetic evaporator 21 and, as in communicatingvessels, gas returns from the tank into the storage tank via the holes19.

When ending the filling operation, the adapter valve 12 closes at first,so that possible residual quantities of anesthetic within the fillerneck 22 can flow off into the tank of the anesthetic evaporator 21. Thefilling valve 28 is then closed and the cylinder adapter 1 can beremoved from the filler neck 22.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a first embodiment 100 of the code accordingto the present invention, and only the cooperation of the polygonallyarranged outer surfaces 7 on the cylinder adapter 1 and the polygonallyshaped inner surfaces 27 on the filling device 20 is shown. A firstouter surface 71, being a partial surface of the outer surfaces 7, hasan inwardly directed arch 72, and a first inner surface 271 designedcorrespondingly thereto has a convex arch 272. When the first outersurface 71 is aligned with the first inner surface 271, cylinder adapter1 can be pushed into the filling device 20.

Unlike in the first embodiment according to FIG. 5, a pin-shapedcomponent 273 is present at the first inner surface 271 in a secondembodiment 200 shown in FIG. 6, and the first outer surface 71 has agroove 73 designed correspondingly thereto.

In a third embodiment 300 according to FIG. 7, all inner surfaces 27have a convex arch 272 and all outer surfaces 7 are provided with theinwardly directed arch 72. Unlike in the first embodiment 100 with anarched partial surface, no special preferential position is needed inthe third embodiment 300 for inserting the cylinder adapter 1 into thefilling device 20.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:
 1. An anesthetic dispenser filling systemcomprising: a cylinder adapter with an adapter neck, said cylinderadapter being provided at a storage tank for liquid anesthetic;polygonally arranged outer surfaces at said adapter neck as ananesthetic-specific code at the cylinder adapter; an anestheticdispenser; a filling device for anesthetic with a filler neck forreceiving said adapter neck, said filling device being at saidanesthetic dispenser; and polygonally arranged inner surfaces, as ananesthetic-specific code at said filler neck, said polygonally arrangedinner surfaces being designed corresponding to said polygonally arrangedouter surfaces, wherein at least one of said polygonally arranged innersurfaces has a projection projecting from the inner surface and at leastone of said polygonally arranged outer surfaces has a depressiondesigned corresponding to said projection.
 2. A filling system inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the polygonally arranged inner surfacesand outer surfaces provide a generally polygon shape designedcorresponding to as a regular n-sided polygon.
 3. A filling system inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said polygonally arranged innersurfaces and outer surfaces provide a generally polygon shape with sidescorresponding to one of a hexagon, a pentagon, a heptagon or an octagon.4. A filling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said projectionof said at least one inner surface comprises a pin-shaped component andsaid depression at said at least one outer surface comprises a groovecorresponding to said pin-shaped component.
 5. A filling system inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said projection of said at least oneinner surface is a convex contour and said depression of said at leastone outer surface is an inwardly directed contour designed correspondingto said convex contour.
 6. A filling system in accordance with claim 5,wherein all of said inner surfaces have a convex contour and all of saidouter surfaces have an inwardly directed contour designed correspondingto said convex contour.
 7. A filling system in accordance with claim 5,wherein said convex contour and said inwardly directed contour aredesigned as a curvature in a radial direction of said polygonallyarranged outer surfaces and said polygonally arranged inner surfaces andthat no curvature is present at right angles thereto.
 8. A cylinderadapter for filling an anesthetic dispenser, cylinder adapter comprisingan adapter neck; and polygonally arranged outer surfaces at the adapterneck as an anesthetic-specific code of the cylinder adapter, wherein atleast one of said outer surfaces has an inwardly directed contour.
 9. Acylinder adapter in accordance with claim 7, wherein all of said outersurfaces have an inwardly directed contour.
 10. A cylinder adapter inaccordance with claim 8, wherein said contour comprises a curvature in aradial direction of said polygonally arranged outer surfaces and that nocurvature is present at right angles thereto.